The "Heart of Republican Darkness" Pt 2: The Christian Right At War!

One of the problems with the Republican Party (but not all Republicans) is its obsession with the Christian Right (mostly Christofascists) and its votes. The Southern Baptist Convention controls the religious views of up to 14 million people. And what the Southern Baptist Convention wants is what Republican politicians must deliver: total legislative obedience.

Of course, The Christian Right is made up of factions other than the SBC, like James Dobson's Focus On The Family, it's offshoot (actually minion) Family Research Council and various other groups disguised as benevolent foundations, research institutes, think tanks and the like. They believe they own the corner on marriage and the family in America. And they will do anything to keep that power as well as extend it.

And they are subversive.

With the campaign in full swing, Christofascists are placing all their weight for their political pawn, Sarah Palin. It's sad, really. They didn't trust John McCain enough to bow to their wishes. He had to deliver a "sign" to them (represented by Franklin Graham, the son of evangelist Billy Graham) and that "sign" was Palin. (Graham was the first to call her - on her pastor's cell phone - to congratulate her after her momentous RNC speech). She seems as clueless about this as she is about her image as Mrs. Mooseburger.

Of course, this month of October for Christofascists is fraught with terrible, terrible battles to wage and win. The one that stands out the most, however, is California's Proposition 8 which would ban same-sex marriage constitutionally and recognition of those kind of marriages from other states. Over $25 million has been spent on negative campaign ads. They mobilized 15,000 sheeple to go door-to-door in Southern California (Orange County) and spew the following:

1. Children in public schools will be taught that both traditional marriage and same-sex marriage are okay. Of course, they'll also be taught that people who love each other can make a mutual commitment and can celebrate that commitment.
   
2. Churches will be sued if they refuse to allow same-sex marriage ceremonies in their religious buildings that are open to the public. Not true. They can post any discriminatory thing they want and tell people that their church does not marry same-sex couples.
   
3. Religious adoption agencies will be challenged by government agencies to give up their long-held right to place children only in homes with both a mother and a father. Some Catholic agencies refuse to place children in Jewish homes. They prefer the "right" religious doctrine to a loving home.
   
4. Religions that sponsor private schools, and which provide housing for married students, will be required to provide housing for same-sex couples. Just as they would for interracial couples.
   
5. Ministers who preach against same-sex marriages will be sued for hate speech. "Hate speech" is the operative term here. Preaching against "sin" is one thing, but preaching against people or a group of people is immoral.
   
6. It will cost you money. A change in the definition of marriage will bring a cascade of lawsuits. The "definition of marriage" is debatable. For centuries, it meant one thing for men and another for women. Marriage should be a lasting commitment between two people who love each other and want to spend their lives with each other. The Christian Right has a higher rate of divorce than the national average. Is it possible that their "definition of marriage" doesn't work?

Where will it end?
It's your children,
your grandchildren,
your money... and your liberties!

Yes, some Republicans will allow this kind of hatred...as long as it gets them votes. And when will the hatred end?

I don't know.

"The Terminator": If It's Good Enough For California's Business, It's Good Enough For Me!

Terminator! We Need You Now!

Meet The Press, June 29, 2008:

TOM BROKAW: You have a lot of propositions on the ballot again this fall. One of them would mean a constitutional ban on gay marriages. Do you support that?

GOV. ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER: No, not at all. As a matter of fact, I think the Supreme Court made a decision there. It was apparently unconstitutional to stop anyone from getting married. It's like 1948, the interracial marriage, when the Supreme Court of California has, you know, decided it was unconstitutional and then later on the Supreme Court of the United States followed, I think 10 or 12 years later. So I think it is, it's good that California lead -- is leading in this way. I personally believe that marriage should be between a man and a woman. But at the same time I think that my, you know, belief, I don't want to force on anyone else, so I think we should stay with the decision of the Supreme Court and move forward. There are so many other more important issues that we have to address in California. So I think to spend any time on this initiative I think is a waste of time.

Also:

You know, I’m wishing everyone good luck with their marriages and I hope that California’s economy is booming because everyone is going to come here and get married.

The San Francisco Convention and Visitors Bureau also expects a tourism boom, and its website now “promotes a gay travel section” and “explains that same-sex couples are ‘officially allowed to marry in the state of California.’” Schwarzenegger has promised to oppose any amendments banning gay marriage.

"I respect the Court’s decision and as Governor, I will uphold its ruling. Also, as I have said in the past, I will not support an amendment to the constitution that would overturn this state Supreme Court ruling."

Governor Scharzenegger: We need you. Marriage equality is at stake. People are trying to ban our love for each other.